Drip proof paint can insert



June 20, 1967 D. J. SPEER 3,326,409

DRIP PROOF PAINT CAN INSERT Filed Sept. 13, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Oar/0 J Jpeen June 20, 1967 D. J. SPEER 3,326,409

DRIP PROOF PAINT CAN INSERT Filed Sept. 13, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l5 #3 I 44 I INVENTOR. Dav/d J Spec/ A??- ORA/E) United States Patent 3,326,409 DRIP PROOF PAINT CAN INSERT David J. Speer, 610 12th St., Onawa, Iowa 51040 Filed Sept. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 486,856 3 Claims. (Cl. 22090) My invention relates to a drip proof paint can insert.

An object of my invention is to provide an insert for paint cans in which the paint can be removed by means of the usual brush, and wherein the insert will prevent the excess paint from spreading over the upper portions of the can so as to maintain the can in a clean condition and to thereby prevent dripping around the exterior can surfaces.

A further object of my invention is to provide an insert for this purpose which will also be securely locked to the can while being used, and which will further include features wherein the excess paint will gravitate downwardly within the insert into the can.

A further object of my invention is to provide certain arrangements wherein portions of the device are disposable.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a forward elevation of a can using one form of the device,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a modification,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a further modification,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of FIGURE 5,

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of a still further modification, and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of FIGURE 7.

My invention contemplates the provision of a type of insert or other arrangement which can be readily inserted into a paint can after the lid has been removed, and which will insure that any excess paint will not be deposited into the usual upper groove portions and the like of the can, or about the external surfaces thereof, and to further provide means whereby the insert is securely locked to the can so that during the insertion and removal of the paint brush the insert will not become dislodged, etc.

In describing my invention and referring to the modification shown in FIGURE 1, I have used the character 10 to designate the cylindrical wall of a paint can, the character 11 indicating a lower bead portion, the character 12 indicating an upper bead pressed onto the wall 10 in the usual manner, the character 13 indicating an upper wall, which extends into the annular grooved portion at 14 which extends into the further annular cylindrical portion 15 terminating in the peripheral bead 16.

In describing my invention, I have used the character 17 to designate a frusto-conical member which extends into the annular bead 18 which in turn extends into the further cylindrical neck portion 19.

The members 17, 18 and 19 are preferably made of a resilient material, and include the small resilient lugs 20 molded integrally with the portion 19, and the further small resilient lugs 21 molded integrally with the portion 17. The character 22 indicates generally an annular ring which can be made of disposable material, which ring includes the cut-out portions at 23.

The member 22 can also include the grooved portions at 24- if such is desired, for wiping the paint brush off as the paint is removed.

It will be noted from this construction that the neck portion 19 can be pressed downwardly into the can, whereupon the lugs 20 will securely hold the arrangement, and it will be further noted that after the paint brush is dipped into the can and brought upwardly against the portions 24, a wiping surface will be provided, and any excess paint will gravitate downwardly along the walls of the member 17 and through the openings at 23. The members 22 can be disposed of and replaced as desired.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate a further modification wherein the character 25 indicates a plastic or other member having the outer resilient lugs 26 adapted to be received under the bead portion 12, the member 25 further including the opening 27 which is tapered as shown, this arrangement also serving to maintain the various surfaces in a clean condition. Formed integrally with the portion 27 are the further lugs 28 which are adapted to be received under the bead portion 16 for locking the arrangement to the can.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a still further modification in which the character 30- indicates a plastic or fairly resilient member having the cylindrical outer portion 31 which has a series of inner grooves, at 32, certain of said grooves, when the member 20 is pressed downwardly, being positioned beneath the bead 12 to thereby securely hold the arrangement. The character 33 indicates an annular cavity adapted to snugly receive the bead portion 16 and extending from the portion 30 is a further integral cylindrical portion 34.

The character 35 indicates a disposable funnel insert member merging with the integral neck 36, and the character 37 indicates a small annular inwardly directed in- Y tegral rib portion of the member 30.

The character 38 indicates an insertable and disposable ring member having the tapered wall 39, the member 38 having the openings 40 therein to provide for the return by gravity of the excess paint. The funnel member 35, 36 is securely maintained in locked position with respect to the member 30 by merely pressing the ring 38 downwardly within the portion 35 whereby the peripheral edge 41 will snap under the rib portion 37, the material of the portion 35 being then formed as at 42, this arrangement then serving to additionally lock the funnel device, and which can be disposed of when desired.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a modification wherein the device can be disposable or otherwise, and wherein the character 43 indicates a frusto-conical member terminating in the neck 44, and formed integrally with the neck 44 are the ledges 45 having the straight edges at 46 against which the brush can be moved, and attached as at 47 to the member 43 are the clip elements 48 terminating in the rounded portions 49. In this construction the funnel member is merely pressed downwardly within the can, whereupon the portions 49 will be spring-urged beneath the bead 12 of the can to thereby securely hold the arrangement.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that my invention provides a variety of advantages for the purposes set forth, and that it principally provides insert members which are solidly locked to the paint can and which will effectively drain the excess paint back into the can. It also provides an arrangement which will protect the exterior portions of the can from dripping and the like. It will also be obvious that my invention provides further advantages.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

H 1. In combination with a paint can having upper peripheral portions an insert comprising an annular member including a central opening, portions extending from said central opening adapted to cover said upper peripheral portions of said paint can, a funnel member received in said central opening, a ring received in said funnel member, said annular member having a peripheral rib adapted to beforced into said funnel member when said ring is pressed downwardly into said funnel member.

2. In combination with a paint can having upper peripheral portions an insert comprising an annular member including a central opening, portions extending from said central opening adapted to cover said upper peripheral portions of said paint can, a funnel member received in said central opening, a ring received in said funnel member, said annular member having a peripheral rib adapted to be forced into said funnel member when said ring is pressed downwardly into said funnel member, said ring having a tapered annular wall, said central opening having a tapered wall adapted to conform to said ring wall.

3. In combination with a paint can having upper peripheral portions, and an upper peripheral bead an insert comprising an annular member including a central opening, portions extending from said central opening adapted to cover said upper peripheral portions of said paint can,

a funnel member received in said central opening, a ring received in said tunnel member, said annular member having a peripheral rib adapted to be forced into said funnel member when said ring is pressed downwardly into said funnel member, said ring having a tapered annular wall, said central opening having a tapered wall adapted to conform to said ring wall, said locking means including a rim extending from said annular member, said rim having a plurality of spaced grooves adapted to engage said upper peripheral bead.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,943,639 1/1934 Thatcher 220- 2,503,525 4/1950 Sutherland 220-86 2,591,482 4/1952 Weltlich 220-90 2,731,178 1/1956 Larsson 222-567 2,837,256 6/1958 Daner 220-90 2,873,881 2/1959 Nichols 220-90 2,920,799 1/1960 Binder 222-570 2,993,629 7/ 1961 Ruhnke 222-567 3,103,297 9/1963 Taft 220-902 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A PAINT CAN HAVING UPPER PERRIPHERAL PORTIONS AN INSERT COMPRISING AN ANNULAR MEMBER INCLUDING A CENTRAL OPENING, PORTIONS EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTRAL OPENING ADAPTED TO COVER SAID UPPER PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF SAID PAINT CAN, A FUNNEL MEMBER RECEIVED IN SAID CENTRAL OPENING, A RING RECEIVED IN SAID FUNNEL MEMBER, SAID ANNULAR MEMBER HAVING A PERIPHERAL RIB ADAPTED TO BE FORCED INTO SAID FUNNEL MEMBER WHEN SAID RING IS PRESSED DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID FUNNEL MEMBER. 